Benefit They’re Real Magnet Mascara Went Viral For A Reason

They’re Real! Magnet Mascara is powered by magnets for extreme length and lift.

I’m listening. This mascara has piqued my interest for sure. Benefit is home to several mascaras, including the cult favorite They’re Real! formula. Benefit took what we all know and love about that formula (lengthen, lift, easy to apply) and created a sister formula: They’re Real Magnet Mascara. Only, this one is supercharged by magnets and is what is supposed to make this formula even better. It takes a unique technology, the magnets, that works to give extreme lift, curl, and length easily. Now, this mascara went viral on TikTok when it launched early 2021 and I, of course, had to try it out. Just the magnetic mascara aspect itself intrigued me enough.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(3.7)

:Benefit They’re Real! Magnet Mascara

Price: $28.00

0.32 oz

Value

(4.2)

Application

(3.8)

Length, Lift

(4.6)

Longevity

(3.7)

Extra Benefits

(2)

Industry Standard

(4.5)

:Lancome Lash Idole Mascara

Price: $30.00

0.27 oz

Value

(4)

Application

(5)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.5)

Extra Benefits

(4)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Mascaras You Should Know About

Price: $11 – $35

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: What does Benefit mean by magnetic mascara?

Benefit’s They’re Real Magnetic Mascara promises 36 hours of lengthening with “a magnetic force.” This mascara is actually formulated with a unique, zigzag bristled wand that features a magnetically supercharged core. The Magnetic Mineral Enriched Formula promises extreme length and lift. In fact, in testing lashes looked 40% longer when wearing this mascara. Benefit claims a lightweight formula that is flexible and builds length and drama.

This mascara was quite comfortable and easy to apply. The wand is on the stiffer side and the zigzag bristles really help to grip the lashes. And, the formula is on the drier side, which I prefer in a mascara. I find drier formulas are a bit easier to apply and work with. This mascara gives an intense black pigment that defines my lashes right away. With one coat, my lashes are volumized, separated, lengthened, and lifted. But, after two coats, I do find it can get a tiny bit clumpy towards the outer corners. To help combat this, I rub off the excess product on the wand before applying. The second coat makes my lashes look even more voluminous, more long, and more bold. Who doesn’t love that?!

The application was beautiful, but the wear was not.

I would say this mascara wears really well for the first five or six hours. After that, I get a decent bit of smudging and transfer under my eyes. Mascara transfers into the creases of my eyelids and flakes under my eyes. And, this is even on just a very light day of wear around the house with no sweating. I feel like a single, light layer of mascara might wear longer without smudging, but who wears just a light layer of mascara? With a formula that promises the length, the volume, all the benefits, I want my lashes to have that false lash effect.

How It Compares: If I’m being honest, I expected more from They’re Real Magnet Mascara.

I will say, I really enjoy the application of this mascara and the way it initially makes my lashes look. The stiffer, grippy wand and drier formula makes for an easy application that is relatively clump free. I get the promised volume, length, definition, and curl. But, this mascara really falls short in the longevity department. Benefit promised 36 hours of lengthening wear on the box, but I definitely don’t get more than 5 mess-free hours. After the 5 hour mark, I start getting smudging and transfer to my eyelids and under my eyes, as well as some flakiness.

If I’m wearing a mascara that promises volume, length, definition, and more, I definitely want that false lash effect. One I can always count on for an easy application, beautiful lashes, and a long wear is Lancome Lash Idole. With this mascara, I can layer it for a dramatic, falsie effect, and I don’t have to worry about smudging, transfer, or flaking. That’s a win in my book!

Milabu Beauty Method: Do you have a method that works best for you?

This mascara has some rave reviews and I can definitely see why it went viral. I loved everything about the application and the way it made my lashes look. But, it just didn’t impress me in terms of longevity. Have you found a way to make this mascara last? Maybe a special primer + mascara combo or even mixing mascara formulas? Let me know!